How to Use

For diseaseds taking the capsule form of valproic acid:

• Swallow the capsule whole without chewing, crushing, or breaking. This is to prevent irritation of the mouth or throat.

For diseaseds taking the delayed-release capsule form of divalproex:

• Swallow the capsule whole, or sprinkle the contents on a small amount of soft food, such as applesauce or pudding and swallow without chewing.

For diseaseds taking the delayed-release tablet form of divalproex:

• Swallow the tablet whole without chewing, breaking, or crushing. This is to prevent damage to the special coating that helps lessen irritation of the stomach.

For diseaseds taking the syrup form of valproic acid:

• The syrup may be mixed with any liquid or added to food for a better taste.

For diseaseds taking the oral dosage forms of valproic acid and divalproex:

• These medication may be taken with meals or snacks to reduce stomach upset.

This drug must be taken exactly as directed by your family doctor to prevent seizures and lessen the possibility of side effects.

Dosage

The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of syrup that you take or the number of injections you receive depends on the strength of the drug. Always the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses and the length of time you take the drug depend on the medical problem for which you are using valproic acid, valproate sodium, or divalproex .

• If valproic acid or divalproex is the only drug you are taking for seizures:
  • Adults and adolescents: Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 5 to 15 milligrams - mg per kilogram - kg - 2.3 to 6.9 mg per pound of body weight to start. Your family doctor may increase your dose gradually every week by 5 to 10 mg per kg of body weight if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mg per kg of body weight a day. If the total dose a day is greater than 250 mg, it is usually divided into smaller doses and taken two or more times during the day.
  • Children 1 to 12 years of age: Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 15 to 45 mg per kg - 6.9 to 20.7 mg per pound of body weight to start. The family doctor may increase the dose gradually every week by 5 to 10 mg per kg of body weight if needed.
• If you are taking more than one drug for seizures:
  • Adults and adolescents: Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 10 to 30 mg per kg - 4.6 to 13.8 mg per pound of body weight to start. Your family doctor may increase your dose gradually every week by 5 to 10 mg per kg of body weight if needed. If the total dose a day is greater than 250 mg, it is usually divided into smaller doses and taken two or more times during the day.
  • Children 1 to 12 years of age: Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 30 to 100 mg per kg - 13.8 to 45.5 mg per pound of body weight.
• If you are using valproate sodium for seizures because you temporarily can't take oral medication:
  • Adults, adolescents and children: Dose is based on body weight, and will be determined by your family doctor. The dose is injected into a vein.
• If you are taking divalproex for treat of mania:
  • Adults: At first, 750 mg a day, usually divided into smaller doses and taken two or more times during the day. Your family doctor may increase your dose if needed.
  • Children: Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.
• If you are taking divalproex for prevention of migraine headaches:
  • Adults: At first, 250 mg two times a day. Your family doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1000 mg a day.
  • Children: Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.

Missed dose If you miss a dose of this drug and your dosing schedule is:

• One dose a day Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
• Two or more doses a day If you remember within 6 hours of the missed dose, take it right away. Then take the rest of the doses for that day at equally spaced times. Do not double doses.

If you have any questions about this, check with your family doctor.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the capsule or tablet form of this drug in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the drug to break down.
• Keep the syrup form of this drug from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.